Zuoying Wan Nian Folklore Festival

　The 7th Zuoying Wan Nian Folklore Festival was celebrated this year between October 13th and 21st around Lotus Pond. This southern festival has gained enormous attention and has become a great success. Since the completion of Taiwan High Speed Rail, Zuoying has become one of the main transportation centers in the nation.

　Historical relics, temples, traditional food, the military village, as well as Lotus Pond and Jhouzih Wetland Park, make Zuoying special with a one of a kind charm. The area mixes old and new. Built upon these rich assets, it is not surprising that Wan Nian Folklore Festival has attracted more residents' and visitors' enthusiastic participation and has grown on a larger scale every year.

　During the festival, the city government and temples offered lucky macrame, which symbolizes the three united tribes within Zuoying District namely Sin Jhuang Zih, the military village and Zuoying old tribe. Everyone was invited to visit temples around Lotus Pond to pay good wishes and share a sense of happiness.

　Zuoying Wan Nian Folklore Festival had much to offer besides lucky macrame. Participants took part in events such as boat tours on Lotus Pond, joining Firing Lion in paying respect to the temples, Cannon Siege or Chess playing. The enthusiastic participation allows many to experience the authentic Zuoying.

　 "Firing Lion" has become the most significant event because people believe it will bring good fortune. This year, Firing Lion was designed at 4 meters tall, 1.2 meters wide, 3.5 meters in length, and 400 kilograms. Firing Lion toured around ten temples surrounding Lotus Pond. Residents and visitors were encouraged to make a wish toward Firing Lion. The burning lion was considered to be the highlight of whole event. The ceremony of burning Firing Lion symbolizes that all of the bad luck would disappear.

　Since the city government has renovated Lotus Pond, Zuoying wants to welcome visitors to view its brand new appearance. With the completion of Taiwan High Speed Rail and the Red Line of Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit due for completion by the end of 2007, Zuoying will certainly attract more tourists with its beautiful scenery, delicious food, as well as its warm-hearted residents.

左營萬年季

◎文／王御風　◎攝影／曾鄂生．鮑忠暉

　　第七屆左營萬年季，10月13日起至21日在左營蓮池潭畔展開。高鐵通車後，左營已經成為台灣最重要的交通據點之一，使得這個原屬於南方的地方祭典，成為全國遊客矚目的焦點，更讓萬年祭登上全國的舞台。

　　時至今日，左營依舊保有許多古蹟，如清代鳳山縣的縣城、高雄市最多的廟宇，相沿許久的小吃，再加上戰後大批遷居至此的外省籍人士，讓左營融合了各式族群，成為一個值得細細玩味的地區。除了著名的眷村文化、更有蓮池潭風景區以及左營洲仔濕地。一年一度的「左營萬年季」也越辦越熱鬧。

　　2007年的左營萬年季，市政府結合蓮池潭環潭廟宇共同推出「幸福御守繩」的活動，其典故相傳乃昔日清代鳳山縣知縣仿效玄天上帝降服蛇龜二怪之故事，籌畫建築土城左靠龜山、右連蛇山，使得舊城宛如一條幸福的繩索，守護在地的居民。為了讓這種幸福的感覺一直傳遞下去，這次主辦單位製作的「幸福御守繩」，染成三種顏色，陳菊市長強調，這象徵左營區的新莊仔、軍眷區、左營舊部落三大聚落，共同凝聚成聯繫幸福的力量，透過民眾或旅客到廟裏祈求平安、祈求幸福，一同分享幸福的感覺。

　　除了「幸福御守繩」外，本次活動還包括「悠遊蓮池潭」畫舫游潭、「火獅大出巡」環潭廟宇參拜、「萬年攻炮城」民俗攻炮城、「萬年攻略趣」挑戰準度拿好獎、「棋奕傳萬年」棋奕比賽等活動，也讓左營在活動期間熱鬧滾滾、萬頭鑽動。

　　而代表納福與招祥迓火獅可說是萬年季最具代表性的活動，今年，高4公尺、寬1.5公尺、長3.5公尺，重達400公斤的迓火獅輪流巡迴鄰近十間廟宇，方便民眾向的迓火獅祈福。「火獅‧燒化祭」更是活動的重頭戲，在迓火獅遶境及凝聚民心，共同祈求火獅庇護之後，接著在蓮池潭中燒化，象徵將一整年的穢氣收集燒化升天，達成幸福萬年的心願。

　　萬年季活動讓民眾感受左營的好山、好水、美食以及高雄人的熱情。高雄市政府近年來大力整治蓮池潭風景區後，已呈現全新風貌，隨著高鐵、高捷陸續完工通車，必能吸引更多的觀光人潮，為地方創造更多的商機。